Accords de Paix et de cessation des hostilités dans le département de Pool

Export agreement:

Export agreement coding (PDF)

Country/entity: Republic of Congo
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Accords de Paix et de cessation des hostilités dans le département de Pool
Date: 17 Mar 2003
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Republic of Congo Civil Wars (1993 - 1994) (1997 - 1999)
After the fall of scientific socialism in 1990, the Republic of Congo made steps towards multiparty politics and held its first elections in 1993. UPADS candidate Pascal Lissouba was victorious in the polls, but the outcome was disagreed by the other candidates Bernard Kolelas and Sassou Nguesso who eventually went on to form militias comprised of their ethnic groups and launched a civil war against Lissouba. Peace accords were signed, and Lissouba remained in power. However, failing to stabilize the economy and implement the accords, violence continued in the lead up to the 1997 elections. Anticipating a coup, Lissouba ordered his militia to detain his rival Sassou and disarm his supporters. Fighting broke out across the city which became divided between the various militias. Troops from the DRC and Angola soon joined the sides of Lissouba and Sassou respectively, motivated by deterring internal rivalries within their own countries. Under the cover of Angolan air strikes, Sassou captured the capital in October 1998 and ousted Lissouba, whose militias re-grouped and by late 1998 had captured the south of the country. The war eventually ended in December 1999 following a peace treaty between Sassou and Lissouba's Cobra faction.
Stage: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Government
Peace process: Republic of Congo peace process
Parties: For the Reverend Pasteur Ntoumi [President of the National Council of Resistance], and by order: Daniel Mahoulouba, representative of the delegation to Brazzaville, and Doctor Gozardio, personal representative.

Isidore Mvouba [Minister of State, Minister of Transport and Privatisation, Government of the Republic of Congo].
Third parties: -
Description: This agreement creates a ceasefire between the National Council of Resistance (CNR) and the Government of the Republic of Congo. Issues covered in the agreement include DDR, amnesty, elections, and the inclusion of CNR ex-combatants in the government forces and the monitoring commission for the 16/11/1999 and 29/12/1999.

Agreement document: CG_030317_Accordsde PaixDeptPool_ tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CG_030317_AccordsDePaixDeptPool.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: Page 1, 1):
The commitments of “pasteur Ntoumi”
...Hence, I undertake to end the hostilities, to collect the arms held by the ex-combatants in order to return them to the relevant authorised commission, and not to create any hindrance to the re-establishment of State authority in the Pool Region, to the free circulation of people and goods in the Pool Region, to the redeployment of government forces in the Pool Region and to the completion of the electoral process in the Pool Region.

Page 1, 2):
The commitments of the government
...In return, the ex-combatants undertake not to create any hindrance to the re-establishment of State authority in the Pool Region, to the free circulation of people and goods in the Pool Region, to the redeployment of government forces in the Pool Region and to the completion of the electoral process in the Pool Region, in accordance with the spirit and letter of the agreements cited above, which they confirm to acknowledge and respect.”
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: Power sharing→Military power sharing→Merger of forces
Page 1, 1):
The commitments of “pasteur Ntoumi”
...In return, the government undertakes to guarantee: the provisions of the law of amnesty no 21/99 of 20 December 1999, granting amnesty for acts of war during the civil wars of 1993-94, 1997-98 and extended to cover the events of 29 March 2002; the security and the professional and socio-economic reinsertion of ex-combatants, in particular by their recruitment in the government forces, availability of posts permitting and with due regard to the relevant criteria, with career soldiers being returned to their respective units of origin with the possibility of assignment to Defence Zone 8; the integration of representatives of ex-combatants in the Monitoring Committee for the Congo Peace and Reconstruction Convention, around which five commissions specialising in peace in Pool will be established, to ensure implementation of the agreements cited above, and complying with the structure of this committee.”

Page 1, 2):
The commitments of the government
...I undertake, from today, to recruit the ex-combatants to the government forces, within the limits of the available resources provided by the government and with due regard to the relevant criteria, career soldiers will be made available to their units of origin with the possibility of assignment to Defence Zone 8.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: Page 1, 1):
The commitments of “pasteur Ntoumi”
...Hence, I undertake to end the hostilities, to collect the arms held by the ex-combatants in order to return them to the relevant authorised commission, and not to create any hindrance to the re-establishment of State authority in the Pool Region, to the free circulation of people and goods in the Pool Region, to the redeployment of government forces in the Pool Region and to the completion of the electoral process in the Pool Region.

Page 1, 2):
The commitments of the government
...In return, the ex-combatants undertake not to create any hindrance to the re-establishment of State authority in the Pool Region, to the free circulation of people and goods in the Pool Region, to the redeployment of government forces in the Pool Region and to the completion of the electoral process in the Pool Region, in accordance with the spirit and letter of the agreements cited above, which they confirm to acknowledge and respect.”
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
[Summary: The entire agreement provides for a ceasefire between the CNR and the Government of the Republic of Congo. The ceasefire commences on 17/03/2003 and is presumed to be permanent. For provisions not coded here see parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces; armed forces, DDR, amnesty and enforcement mechanism.]

Page 1, 1):
The commitments of “pasteur Ntoumi” “I, the undersigned Reverend Pasteur Ntoumi, President of the National Council of Resistance (CNR), hereby confirm the provisions of the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities agreement signed on 16 November at Pointe-Noire and 29 December 1999, in Brazzaville

Page 1, 2):
The commitments of the government “ I, the undersigned Isidore Mvouba, Minister of State, Minister of Transport and Privatisation, responsible for the coordination of government activity, acting in the name of and on account of the government and its Head, Denis Sassou Nguesso, in accordance with the provisions of the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities agreements signed on 16 November at Pointe-Noire and 29 December 1999, in Brazzaville, as well as the law of amnesty no 21/99 of 20 December 1999, granting amnesty for acts of war during the civil wars of 1993-94, 1997-98 and extended to cover the events of 29 March 2002.
Hence, I undertake in the name of the president of the republic to guarantee the security and the professional and socio-economic reinsertion of the ex-combatants, and from this day onwards to end hostilities and to return all weapons to the relevant authorised commission.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: Page 1, 1):
The commitments of “pasteur Ntoumi”
...Hence, I undertake to end the hostilities, to collect the arms held by the ex-combatants in order to return them to the relevant authorised commission, and not to create any hindrance to the re-establishment of State authority in the Pool Region, to the free circulation of people and goods in the Pool Region, to the redeployment of government forces in the Pool Region and to the completion of the electoral process in the Pool Region.
...In return, the government undertakes to guarantee: the provisions of the law of amnesty no 21/99 of 20 December 1999, granting amnesty for acts of war during the civil wars of 1993-94, 1997-98 and extended to cover the events of 29 March 2002; the security and the professional and socio-economic reinsertion of ex-combatants, in particular by their recruitment in the government forces, availability of posts permitting and with due regard to the relevant criteria, with career soldiers being returned to their respective units of origin with the possibility of assignment to Defence Zone 8; the integration of representatives of ex-combatants in the Monitoring Committee for the Congo Peace and Reconstruction Convention, around which five commissions specialising in peace in Pool will be established, to ensure implementation of the agreements cited above, and complying with the structure of this committee.”

Page 1, 2):
The commitments of the government
...I undertake, from today, to recruit the ex-combatants to the government forces, within the limits of the available resources provided by the government and with due regard to the relevant criteria, career soldiers will be made available to their units of origin with the possibility of assignment to Defence Zone 8.
...In return, the ex-combatants undertake not to create any hindrance to the re-establishment of State authority in the Pool Region, to the free circulation of people and goods in the Pool Region, to the redeployment of government forces in the Pool Region and to the completion of the electoral process in the Pool Region, in accordance with the spirit and letter of the agreements cited above, which they confirm to acknowledge and respect.”
DDR: Security sector→DDR→DDR programmes
Page 1, 1):
The commitments of “pasteur Ntoumi”
...Hence, I undertake to end the hostilities, to collect the arms held by the ex-combatants in order to return them to the relevant authorised commission, and not to create any hindrance to the re-establishment of State authority in the Pool Region, to the free circulation of people and goods in the Pool Region, to the redeployment of government forces in the Pool Region and to the completion of the electoral process in the Pool Region.
...In return, the government undertakes to guarantee: the provisions of the law of amnesty no 21/99 of 20 December 1999, granting amnesty for acts of war during the civil wars of 1993-94, 1997-98 and extended to cover the events of 29 March 2002; the security and the professional and socio-economic reinsertion of ex-combatants, in particular by their recruitment in the government forces, availability of posts permitting and with due regard to the relevant criteria, with career soldiers being returned to their respective units of origin with the possibility of assignment to Defence Zone 8; the integration of representatives of ex-combatants in the Monitoring Committee for the Congo Peace and Reconstruction Convention, around which five commissions specialising in peace in Pool will be established, to ensure implementation of the agreements cited above, and complying with the structure of this committee.”

Page 1, 2):
The commitments of the government
...Hence, I undertake in the name of the president of the republic to guarantee the security and the professional and socio-economic reinsertion of the ex-combatants, and from this day onwards to end hostilities and to return all weapons to the relevant authorised commission.
I undertake, from today, to recruit the ex-combatants to the government forces, within the limits of the available resources provided by the government and with due regard to the relevant criteria, career soldiers will be made available to their units of origin with the possibility of assignment to Defence Zone 8.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 1, 1) The commitments of “pasteur Ntoumi” “I, the undersigned Reverend Pasteur Ntoumi, President of the National Council of Resistance (CNR), hereby confirm the provisions of the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities agreement signed on 16 November at Pointe-Noire and 29 December 1999, in Brazzaville.
Hence, I undertake to end the hostilities, to collect the arms held by the ex-combatants in order to return them to the relevant authorised commission, and not to create any hindrance to the re-establishment of State authority in the Pool Region, to the free circulation of people and goods in the Pool Region, to the redeployment of government forces in the Pool Region and to the completion of the electoral process in the Pool Region.
In addition I undertake to contribute to the consolidation of peace and security in the Pool Region, in particular by making information germane to this process available to the monitoring committee.
In return, the government undertakes to guarantee: the provisions of the law of amnesty no 21/99 of 20 December 1999, granting amnesty for acts of war during the civil wars of 1993-94, 1997-98 and extended to cover the events of 29 March 2002; the security and the professional and socio-economic reinsertion of ex-combatants, in particular by their recruitment in the government forces, availability of posts permitting and with due regard to the relevant criteria, with career soldiers being returned to their respective units of origin with the possibility of assignment to Defence Zone 8; the integration of representatives of ex-combatants in the Monitoring Committee for the Congo Peace and Reconstruction Convention, around which five commissions specialising in peace in Pool will be established, to ensure implementation of the agreements cited above, and complying with the structure of this committee.”

Page 1, 2):
The commitments of the government
...Hence, I undertake in the name of the president of the republic to guarantee the security and the professional and socio-economic reinsertion of the ex-combatants, and from this day onwards to end hostilities and to return all weapons to the relevant authorised commission.
I undertake, from today, to recruit the ex-combatants to the government forces, within the limits of the available resources provided by the government and with due regard to the relevant criteria, career soldiers will be made available to their units of origin with the possibility of assignment to Defence Zone 8.
Finally I undertake to integrate representatives of the ex-combatants in the Monitoring Committee for the Congo Peace and Reconstruction Convention, within which a commission specialising in peace in Pool will be established, in order to ensure the effective implementation of the provisions of the agreements cited above, and in accordance with the structure of this committee.
In return, the ex-combatants undertake not to create any hindrance to the re-establishment of State authority in the Pool Region, to the free circulation of people and goods in the Pool Region, to the redeployment of government forces in the Pool Region and to the completion of the electoral process in the Pool Region, in accordance with the spirit and letter of the agreements cited above, which they confirm to acknowledge and respect.”
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: Transitional justice→Amnesty/pardon→Amnesty/pardon proper
Page 1, 1):
The commitments of “pasteur Ntoumi”
...In return, the government undertakes to guarantee: the provisions of the law of amnesty no 21/99 of 20 December 1999, granting amnesty for acts of war during the civil wars of 1993-94, 1997-98 and extended to cover the events of 29 March 2002; the security and the professional and socio-economic reinsertion of ex-combatants, in particular by their recruitment in the government forces, availability of posts permitting and with due regard to the relevant criteria, with career soldiers being returned to their respective units of origin with the possibility of assignment to Defence Zone 8; the integration of representatives of ex-combatants in the Monitoring Committee for the Congo Peace and Reconstruction Convention, around which five commissions specialising in peace in Pool will be established, to ensure implementation of the agreements cited above, and complying with the structure of this committee.”

Page 1, 2):
The commitments of the government “ I, the undersigned Isidore Mvouba, Minister of State, Minister of Transport and Privatisation, responsible for the coordination of government activity, acting in the name of and on account of the government and its Head, Denis Sassou Nguesso, in accordance with the provisions of the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities agreements signed on 16 November at Pointe-Noire and 29 December 1999, in Brazzaville, as well as the law of amnesty no 21/99 of 20 December 1999, granting amnesty for acts of war during the civil wars of 1993-94, 1997-98 and extended to cover the events of 29 March 2002.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: Page 1, 1):
The commitments of “pasteur Ntoumi”
...In addition I undertake to contribute to the consolidation of peace and security in the Pool Region, in particular by making information germane to this process available to the monitoring committee.
In return, the government undertakes to guarantee: the provisions of the law of amnesty no 21/99 of 20 December 1999, granting amnesty for acts of war during the civil wars of 1993-94, 1997-98 and extended to cover the events of 29 March 2002; the security and the professional and socio-economic reinsertion of ex-combatants, in particular by their recruitment in the government forces, availability of posts permitting and with due regard to the relevant criteria, with career soldiers being returned to their respective units of origin with the possibility of assignment to Defence Zone 8; the integration of representatives of ex-combatants in the Monitoring Committee for the Congo Peace and Reconstruction Convention, around which five commissions specialising in peace in Pool will be established, to ensure implementation of the agreements cited above, and complying with the structure of this committee.”

Page 1, 2):
The commitments of the government
...Finally I undertake to integrate representatives of the ex-combatants in the Monitoring Committee for the Congo Peace and Reconstruction Convention, within which a commission specialising in peace in Pool will be established, in order to ensure the effective implementation of the provisions of the agreements cited above, and in accordance with the structure of this committee.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: UN Peacemaker: http://peacemaker.un.org/

Peace Agreements and cessation of hostilities in the Pool Region

Brazzaville, March 16-17, 2003

1) The commitments of “pasteur Ntoumi” “I, the undersigned Reverend Pasteur Ntoumi, President of the National Council of Resistance (CNR), hereby confirm the provisions of the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities agreement signed on 16 November at Pointe-Noire and 29 December 1999, in Brazzaville.

Hence, I undertake to end the hostilities, to collect the arms held by the ex-combatants in order to return them to the relevant authorised commission, and not to create any hindrance to the re-establishment of State authority in the Pool Region, to the free circulation of people and goods in the Pool Region, to the redeployment of government forces in the Pool Region and to the completion of the electoral process in the Pool Region.

In addition I undertake to contribute to the consolidation of peace and security in the Pool Region, in particular by making information germane to this process available to the monitoring committee.

In return, the government undertakes to guarantee:

the provisions of the law of amnesty no 21/99 of 20 December 1999, granting amnesty for acts of war during the civil wars of 1993-94, 1997-98 and extended to cover the events of 29 March 2002;

the security and the professional and socio-economic reinsertion of ex-combatants, in particular by their recruitment in the government forces, availability of posts permitting and with due regard to the relevant criteria, with career soldiers being returned to their respective units of origin with the possibility of assignment to Defence Zone 8;

the integration of representatives of ex-combatants in the Monitoring Committee for the Congo Peace and Reconstruction Convention, around which five commissions specialising in peace in Pool will be established, to ensure implementation of the agreements cited above, and complying with the structure of this committee.”

Done in Brazzaville, 16 March 2003.

For the Reverend Pasteur Ntoumi, and by order:

Daniel Mahoulouba, representative of the delegation to Brazzaville, and Doctor Gozardio, personal representative.”

2) The commitments of the government “ I, the undersigned Isidore Mvouba, Minister of State, Minister of Transport and Privatisation, responsible for the coordination of government activity, acting in the name of and on account of the government and its Head, Denis Sassou Nguesso, in accordance with the provisions of the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities agreements signed on 16 November at Pointe-Noire and 29 December 1999, in Brazzaville, as well as the law of amnesty no 21/99 of 20 December 1999, granting amnesty for acts of war during the civil wars of 1993-94, 1997-98 and extended to cover the events of 29 March 2002.

Hence, I undertake in the name of the president of the republic to guarantee the security and the professional and socio-economic reinsertion of the ex-combatants, and from this day onwards to end hostilities and to return all weapons to the relevant authorised commission.

I undertake, from today, to recruit the ex-combatants to the government forces, within the limits of the available resources provided by the government and with due regard to the relevant criteria, career soldiers will be made available to their units of origin with the possibility of assignment to Defence Zone 8.

Finally I undertake to integrate representatives of the ex-combatants in the Monitoring Committee for the Congo Peace and Reconstruction Convention, within which a commission specialising in peace in Pool will be established, in order to ensure the effective implementation of the provisions of the agreements cited above, and in accordance with the structure of this committee.

In return, the ex-combatants undertake not to create any hindrance to the re-establishment of State authority in the Pool Region, to the free circulation of people and goods in the Pool Region, to the redeployment of government forces in the Pool Region and to the completion of the electoral process in the Pool Region, in accordance with the spirit and letter of the agreements cited above, which they confirm to acknowledge and respect.”

Done in Brazzaville, 17 March 2003:

Isidore Mvouba.